​This past Wednesday, members of HLTA’s Oahu Chapter joined myself and my staff, to once again help Salvation Army distribute gifts through their Angel Tree Program to those in need.

While we work with the Salvation Army on other projects, such as their signature holiday Bell-ringing (earlier this month), this is a uniquely heartwarming experience. It is a privilege to see firsthand the selfless work that the Salvation Army and its Volunteer Corps put in, to truly make this the season of giving.

Mahalo to all our volunteers! We look forward to extending our support again next year.

December always marks my favorite time of year.  Ask anyone that knows me: they would tell you that I am one of the the biggest fans of Christmas around.  Of course, coupled with the festivities comes holiday parties, many of which our jovial members host. 

​Over the last few weeks I had the joy of attending parties hosted by Pacific Guardian Life, Securitas, and our very own Hospitality Housekeeping Council, to name a few.  Mahalo to Board members Carol Shimomura, Vice President of Employee Benefit Sales for Pacific Guardian Life and Securitas Area Vice President Sanj Sappal for their annual holiday party invites which were appropriately held at Oahu Country Club and Waialae Country Club.  Additionally, I would like to send a big shout-out to our Hospitality Housekeeping Council Chair, Hao Dang Tanacsos, and the HHC board for throwing a stellar Christmas gathering at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach’s Voyager Club. 

​We are just three weeks away from one off our biggest events of the year: Thursday, January 10th will be our 29th Annual Na Po’e Pa’ahana Awards! In case you missed the announcement made earlier this week, you can find the list of all the finalists here. If you still need to buy your tables, not to worry – registration is still open, so make sure you buy them now, via this link.

This luncheon is such a special event, and a great way to honor the tremendous efforts of those who make our hospitality industry no ka oi. I look forward to seeing you there.

​We are always happy to have visitors at the HLTA office, and were pleased to have a surprise visit yesterday afternoon. Our HLTA Chairperson, Glenn Vergara, and his Waikiki Resort Hotel ohana stopped in to wish us a Merry Christmas. Mahalo for all that you do, and especially for visiting us. 

 As we head into the holiday weekend, I would like to wish everyone a Mele Kalikimaka! 

​Yesterday afternoon, I joined the Marriott International leadership team to speak on HLTA’s and the visitor industry’s legislative priorities.  Marriott International Area Vice President (Hawai‘i & French Polynesia) Harris Chan, and newly appointed Hawai‘i Tourism Authority President, Chris Tatum, were accompanied by Marriott General Managers and key executives from across the state for one of their annual executive meetings.  During my presentation, I covered our key priorities: from the regulation of transient vacation rentals at the county level, to the implementation of an airports corporation, defending against transient accommodations taxes on resort fees, and our homelessness and public safety initiatives. 

Additionally, I covered the hot topic of “overtourism,” a term that has been coined by many to describe the increasing number of tourists that are visiting destinations throughout  the world - resulting, in many instances, in draconian measures aimed at halting tourism. 

We should view and deal with “ overtourism" by keeping the following three points in mind:
1. It is not enough to simply focus on marketing tourism - we need to be equally concerned about managing tourism better;
2. We,  as a state, should be targeting quality tourism rather than focusing strictly on quantity tourism; 
3. We, as an industry, need to be at the table when such discussions are held so that we can help guide these community deliberations in a thoughtful and measured manner. 

As I have stated repeatedly, major kudos to Kaua‘i and Maui, through the hard work of our HLTA Chapters, county government, and industry partners, in developing Tourism Strategic Plans to address this issue.

If there are any organizations or businesses within the HLTA membership that would like me to present our legislative priorities and advocacy efforts, on behalf of our industry, to your team, please contact my Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs, Jared Higashi, at [email protected]. 

HLTA President & CEO Mufi Hannemann, with David Tanuvasa, Principal of Aiea High School, and Calvin Shimomura, Complex Area Personnel Specialist for the Central Oahu District of the Department of Education. ​

​I have always held a soft spot for public education, having attended three public elementary schools while growing up in Kalihi, so it was an easy "yes" when Calvin Shimomura from the DOE’s Central Oahu District, and husband to HLTA board member Carol Shimomura of Pacific Guardian Life, approached me at our General Membership Meeting at Ko Olina to be a speaker at their Principal’s meeting. 

Dozens of educational leaders from across Central Oahu gathered at the Hawai‘i Okinawan Center in Waipio yesterday.   During the meeting, I was joined by Choco Le’a Owner Erin Kanno,  Hawai‘i Gas’ Oahu General Manager Kevin Nishimura, and President and Principal Broker of Engel & Völkers Honolulu Kay Mukaigawa to speak on a panel regarding leadership and our current workforce.

During the panel discussion, I had the chance to share my mana’o on the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence, dealing with the millennial workforce, addressing education within the classroom, and how teachers can better assist our youth in preparation for their future careers.  As a staunch supporter of mentorship and professional growth, I also spoke to how we as employers should be embracing millennials, which have quickly become the largest generation of employees in today’s workforce.  The proof is in the poi as I have instituted many young professional initiatives over the last couple decades, which include: my Pacific Century Fellows Program, the Po’okela Fellows Program - which I pioneered during my tenure as Mayor of the City & County of Honolulu, the hospitality industry’s young professional committee “HYPE”, and the Generational Mentoring Program at HLTA.            
 
On the topic of educational development, I pointed to the model of career pathways, and early college programming that some high schools have adopted.  I used the leading example of Waipahu High School, which HLTA has been working with to establish the first nationally-accredited tourism and culinary arts academy in the state.  We are currently working on bringing Waipahu students and faculty internships and externships which will help them achieve vital requirements for national recognition.  I put it out there that we would support programs that encourage our young people into the state's number one provider of jobs: tourism. I anticipate great things working with our Central Oahu schools.

​​This morning, members of HLTA’s Oahu Chapter led by Chair Bonnie Kiyabu were stationed at 6 sites throughout Waikiki “ringing” in the holidays, in partnership with the Salvation Army for their annual Red Kettle Campaign.  Mahalo to all the volunteers and site leaders who took time out of their morning to support the bell-ringing drive and helped raise a combined $1,170 for at-risk keiki and families struggling during the holiday season. Our partnership with the Salvation Army is one that we enjoy participating in, and we look forward to supporting their cause for the many years to come.

Together with HLTA Chair Glenn Vergara and other executive board members , we were delighted to meet this year’s 2018 Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts Scholarship recipient, Melanie Tancinco.  As I mentioned in a prior Mufi’s Message, Melanie aspires to become an Executive Chef, and is currently a line cook at the Halekulani Hotel’s five-star French restaurant, La Mer. One of her notable accomplishments was competing in the Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Commis Competition, a prestigious event where young Chefs (under age 27) can display their talents and creativity in a competitive environment.

While immersed in the tourism and culinary industry, her plan is to absorb as much as possible, while allowing guests to indulge in the dishes she prepares. Melanie will continue her education at UH West Oahu in Culinary Management. We applaud her efforts in becoming an Executive Chef. To all of our scholarship recipients, that are diligently pursuing their goals, we support and appreciate your endeavors.
​

​On our most recent episode of Tourism 101, I discussed the importance of perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture in the hospitality industry. Featured guests, Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Michael Pili Pang, elaborated on their strong connections to Native Hawaiian culture here in Hawai’i. It is in the spirit and preservation of our island’s culture that they have been leading efforts to bring to fruition the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FESTPAC) coming to Hawai‘i in the Summer of 2020.

This “Olympics of Pacific Island Culture” invites 28 nations of Oceania to bring with them their best performers and artists in the fields of poetry, art, film, fashion, dance and much more, to portray an overall representation of their living culture. A big mahalo to Vicky Holt Takamine and Michael Pili Pang for sharing their passion & insights and a big shoutout to HLTA board member Kisan Jo - President of Prince Resorts Hawaii for hosting a reception for FESTPAC at the Prince Waikiki recently. 

To see Vicky and Michael on our latest Tourism 101 episode, please click here or visit ThinkTech’s YouTube playlist of all our Tourism 101 episodes.

If you are interested in appearing on Tourism 101, either as a guest or as a host, please contact Melina Hicks of my staff at [email protected].
​

​​Each year, our Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association honors the individuals of our visitor industry, who go beyond the call of duty and demonstrate professionalism, outstanding service, and the spirit of aloha. The prestigious Na Po’e Pa’ahana Awards luncheon is right around the corner and you don’t want to miss out, so buy your tables now. Please join us in recognizing the best-of-the-best in Hawai‘i’s Hospitality Industry on January 10th at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Following our 29th annual Na Po’e Pa’ahana awards luncheon, HLTA will be holding its annual holiday party at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. We invite you to join us in the Hawai’i Loa Room for a vintage Hawaii on-screen theme! Wear your best Magnum PI costume, or dress as your favorite Hawaii Five-0 character. Ticket details will be released shortly.